Family loses thousands in break-in; says suspect disarmed security system

DENVER -- A family thought a home security system was protecting them until someone was able to disarm it and walk away with thousands of dollars worth of property, including a woman’s wedding ring.

The homeowner had just been gone for 10 minutes when someone broke into her home.

It was a huge surprise to her because she thought she had taken all the steps necessary to protect her home and belongings.

The burglary occurred after a man rang her doorbell twice and then just stood there.

A few minutes later, a large window was pried open.

But homeowner Danielle McDermott said her armed security system never indicated a break-in.

“I figured something had to have happened, that maybe this was a professional burglar," McDermott said.

"But more than anything, I just wanted an answer to know how someone could have gained entry into my home and how I could prevent it again."

The burglary hit her family hard.

I had many things that were very important to me, but more than anything it was also a violation of my home. It’s something that was very obviously upsetting and it took me a long time to process," she said.

The question is how could someone bypass the system installed by ADT? A window sensor had been removed from the window, and taken apart.

McDermott said the slightest movement usually triggers the alarm.

"At ADT we strive to provide excellent service and take issues like this one very seriously. We are currently investigating what happened," the company said in a statement.

McDermott said she tried reaching ADT but she never got a resolution. She said the company closed her case and gave her a $500 voucher.